IK4 and Globionic Technology
sign the agreement.

A portable device developed by IK4 Research Alliance, capable to detect chlamydia, human papillomavirus (inducing cervix cancer) and other sexually transmitted diseases in less than thirty minutes, will be marketed in India in 2012 to support early diagnosis of these diseases.

With a population of about 1,198 million inhabitants, it is estimated that more than 82.5 million people suffer from one of these diseases in India. Chlamydia, the sexually transmitted infection affecting only women, is particularly worrying, as it is a silent disease in 90% of cases. With incidence also in Europe, chlamydia can affect the brain, cause blindness and lead to miscarriage, premature birth or premature torn membranes. It is also a key factor in the high rate of infant morbidity or infertility.

This low-cost quick diagnosis device developed by IK4 GAIKER and IKERLAN technology centres will enable the detection of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and other infectious agents in less time than current conventional systems based on microbial culture or molecular detection. The technological development, free from any laboratory support, performs complex detections in clinical samples and is more effective and profitable than other current fast detection techniques.

The Indian company Globionic Technology, responsible for placing this test in the market, has become aware of this diagnosis device through different scientific journals and specialised papers. Last May, a delegation of the Indian firm visited the IK4 centres to see this technological development first-hand and study its use prospects to stop the widely extended problem of STDs in India. During this visit, a demo of Salmonella detection in faecal samples using this system was performed. In fact, the detection of this pathogen was this new development's former model.

Once the functioning was checked, both parties signed an agreement according to which the Indian delegation will receive a prototype of the platform so that the University of Delhi can adapt the device to STD detection. This new procedure might enable the diagnosis of any molecular biology-related disease, including STDs. In the meanwhile, IK4 technology centres will focus on the development of a portable device model for ulterior commercialisation.